Clamp device for portable porous pavement system

Abstract

A clamping device for a portable porous pavement system includes a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket includes a U-shaped section extending between first and second wings; a first slot defined by the first wing; and a second slot defined by the second wing. The second bracket includes a C-shaped member having first and second arms with a base member joining the first and second arms; a first twistable section defined by the first arm; and a second twistable section defined by the second arm. The first arm is sized to fit through the first slot of the first wing such that the first twistable section and the base member are on opposite sides of the first wing; and the second arm is sized to fit through the second slot of the second wing such that the second twistable section and the base member being on opposite sides of the second wing.

1. A kit for use in assembling a portable porous pavement system; the kit comprising:
 (a) a clamping device comprising:
 (i) a first bracket including a section extending between first and second wings; a first slot defined by the first wing; and a second slot defined by the second wing; 
 (ii) a second bracket including a first planar arm and a second planar arm with a planar base member joining the first and second arms; a first twistable section defined by the first arm; and a second twistable section defined by the second arm;
 (A) the first arm being sized to fit through the first slot of the first wing and such that the first twistable section and the base member are on opposite sides of the first wing; and 
 (B) the second arm being sized to fit through the second slot of the second wing and such that the second twistable section and the base member being on opposite sides of the second wing; and 
 the first twistable section and the second twistable section being twistable so that upon twisting, the first bracket and second bracket are locked together; 
 
 
 (b) a lifting lever including:
 (i) first and second opposite surfaces; at least two opposite elongated sidewalls and at least two opposite end sidewalls extending between the first and second opposite surfaces; 
 (ii) a first section, a second section, and a connecting section extending between the first second and second section;
 (A) the first section being of a length sufficient to support a portion of a human foot; 
 (B) the second section being of a length sufficient to extend under and support the second bracket of the clamping device, when the kit is used in assembling a portable porous pavement system; 
 
 (iii) the connection section being angled at a first angle relative to the first section; and 
 (iv) the connection section being angled at a second angle relative to the second section. 
 
 
     
     
       2. A kit according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the first section and second section of the lifting lever are parallel to each other; and 
 (b) each of the first and second angles of the lifting lever are obtuse angles. 
 
     
     
       3. A kit according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the first section and the second section of the lifting lever are equal in length of 50-200 mm; and 
 (b) the first section, connecting section, and second section of the lifting lever have a uniform width extending between the elongated sidewalls in a range of 30-50 mm. 
 
     
     
       4. A kit according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the first and second slots of the clamping device each has an aspect ratio of length to width that is greater than 1. 
 
     
     
       5. A kit according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) each of the first bracket and second bracket of the clamping device comprises steel; and 
 (b) the lifting lever comprises steel. 
 
     
     
       6. A kit according to  claim 5  wherein:
 (a) the section of the first bracket of the clamping device is U-shaped. 
 
     
     
       7. A kit according to  claim 6  wherein:
 (a) the U-shaped section includes first and second legs joined by a connecting section;
 (i) an inner dimension between the first and second legs being about 15 mm; 
 (ii) the first and second wings each having a length of about 20 mm; and 
 (iii) a height of the first and second legs each being about 45 mm. 
 
 
     
     
       8. A kit according to  claim 5  wherein:
 (a) the second bracket is C-shaped. 
 
     
     
       9. A kit according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the first and second arms of the second bracket of the clamping device each has a rectangular cross-sectional shape. 
 
     
     
       10. A kit according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the first and second arms of the second bracket of the clamping device each has an aspect ratio of length to width that is in a range of 3-8. 
 
     
     
       11. A kit according to  claim 10  wherein:
 (a) the first and second slots of the first bracket of the clamping device are each rectangular in shape. 
 
     
     
       12. A kit according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 (a) a torsion wrench including:
 (i) a neck having a head; the head defining a free end and a receiving cavity within the free end;
 (A) the receiving cavity being sized to receive each of the arms of the second bracket, when the kit is used in assembling a portable porous pavement system; and 
 
 (ii) a grip bar extending from the neck. 
 
 
     
     
       13. A kit according to  claim 12  wherein:
 (a) the grip bar of the torsion wrench is perpendicular to the neck; the grip bar and neck together forming a T-shape. 
 
     
     
       14. A kit according to  claim 12  wherein:
 (a) the receiving cavity of the torsion wrench has a rectangular cross-section with an aspect ratio of length to width in a range of 2-5; and 
 (b) the grip bar of the torsion wrench includes opposite sides extending away from the neck; the opposite sides being equal in length.